Due to the high winds, it was deemed dangerous to drivers, and one of the lanes was closed to traffic last night.

However, a spokesman explained today that, with the winds having died down, it was decided to reopen the lane over the rush-hour period to prevent any hold-ups for commuters.

“Part of the canopy roof had lifted and was overhanging the carriageway,” the spokesman said.

“It was dangerous with the winds, and it could have landed on vehicles so we had to close it last night.

“But the winds died down this morning, so we opened it for the rush-hour. Once the busy period is over we’ll be closing the lane again to repair the damage.”

Meanwhile, a Fife councillor has raised a number of issues surrounding operation of the bridge in the wake of the closure which badly affected traffic last week.

Newport and Tayport member Tim Brett has written to bridge manager John Crerar to ask for details of plans and arrangements that exist for notifying the communities of Newport, Wormit, and Tayport in the event of a bridge closure taking place.

He said that there had been particular concern locally, and considerable traffic congestion on the approach to the bridge.

Mr Brett said that while he’s aware the closure was publicised on local radio, he wondered whether any staff were sent to the south side of the bridge to help control traffic and inform people as to what was happening.

“I know there are electronic message boards at the Forgan Roundabout and also at the bridge itself, and further back I know there is a message board at Melville Lodges Roundabout.

“Are you satisfied these provide sufficient coverage for informing motorists when the bridge is closed?” he asked.

Mr Brett said he’d also seen Press reports about inspections of lampposts that snapped, and he asked whether the posts that did break were carrying signs which may have contributed to pressure on them.

The councillor has also asked for details of the number of occasions the bridge has been closed over the last 10 years, saying, “I am interested to know whether the frequency of closure has increased, and if this can be linked in any way to changing weather conditions and, in particular, to global warming.”